Lost my temper at work

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2005
Lost my temper at work
9
Sat, 04-29-2006 - 9:40pm

At work today, I lost my temper for the first time ever...and maybe the last, who knows what will happen when my boss finds out.

It was five and there was a long line of people still, even though the library is supposed to be closed and I don't get paid for more that 7 hours no matter how long I stay. I told my co-worker (who works full time) that I had to go soon and it was five, and she said OK but kept sending more customers to my line while she worked on her own stuff! Since she works full time, I guess she's getting paid enough to work overtime if she feels like it, but I only work part time and I'm not interested in working for free!

I said, "I'm really stressed out becuase I always stay late and I'm not getting paid for this!" My voice was very upset. I then realize the customers are all staring at me, and my co-worker is ignoring me, so I got upset and ran to the bathroom. Then I washed my hands and came back and the customers are giving me dirty looks, and my co-worker still ignored me. (She doesn't like me.) I wanted to talk to her about it and why I said that, but she was giving me the cold shoulder and I was too upset to know what to say, so I said, "I'm leaving now," and she said, "Fine" in an angry voice, and I left.

I'm pretty sure that either she will tell my boss or the customers will complain- and what should I say in my defense? I regret losing control like that. I had a really stressful day- customers always take their problems out on me and I have to just sit there and take it. Also, it's been bothering me for awhile that even though I only get paid until closing, I often have to work later (unpaid) becuase customers wait until the last minute to check out! So if they wait until 5pm, and I'm supposed to leave then, I'm working late for free!

I really am infuriated by it, but now I look like the bad guy becuase I lost my temper in front of customers. Also, I was very stressed because my co-worker doesn't like me- and I'm sure she can't stand me now. I try to be friendly to her, but she always seems to have a chip on her shoulder around me- and I can't say anything because she has senority. And it's really stressful to work with her, and that also has been building on me. So today, after months of being "nice", I blew up... what should I do now?

I really need good references, I am worried they might fire me...customer service is very important to them. I'm just so tired of getting walked all over by rude customers and I have to take it with a smile. You wouldn't believe how rude some people are to service workers- they take all their stress out on me- and I'm supposed to respond with a smile!

Actually, I don't think what I said was that bad, but everyone seemed shocked and gave me dirty looks so I guess they did. Why is it OK for them to treat me like dirt, but I can't say whatever is on my mind too? My face turned bright red- I was really upset.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-2005
Wed, 05-03-2006 - 5:11pm

I too understand feeling frustrated with not being paid for the work you do. When I was working, the store closed at midnight, although if there were customers we had to serve them, then we had to clean up and didn't get paid for that time.


I hope that your boss is understanding. We all have bad days, and maybe they will even change your schedule or your pay.


Thoughts and prayers.

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Amanda

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2005
Thu, 05-04-2006 - 10:22am

Update:

My boss did not say anything, but both days I worked this week I made a mistake. When I told my DH he thinks it's ridiculous that they make such a big deal of mistakes there, which they do. It's like a federal offense to make a mistake- but there's so much distraction and muli-tasking with the phone and customers, that it's very hard to concentrate fully on any task, and that's why I think I make mistakes.

For instance, yesterday a woman got a phone call, and I wasn't sure if she was still there since it was after five, so I called the break room becuase if she was leaving, she would get her stuff there. Someone told me that she was sure the woman left, so I told the caller that without trying to call other offcies to search for her. A few mintues later, the director and the woman came to the desk, really upset becuase she was actually there- and it was an important call that she missed.

I felt really bad, but someone told me that she was gone so I think it was an understandable mistake to make. But they were so upset over it, they wouldn't let it go. Is this normal, or are they supercritical? I'm beginning to feel like I can't do anything right there. Somehow, the director is never there when I'm doing great...she only walks by at the worst moments! Also I get really nervous when someone is watching me, maybe becuase I'm just waiting for them to pounce on a mistake, so I don't do as well when they are near. But I'm afraid they think I'm incompetent and won't give me a good reference.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-2005
Thu, 05-04-2006 - 2:54pm
I think it is an understandable mistake. You say they make a big deal of mistakes, how so? Did you get reprimanded or written up, or was it just their reactions that were a big deal? I think you were reasonable in assuming that she wasn't there and she could call the caller back if she wanted to.

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Amanda

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2005
Thu, 05-04-2006 - 3:25pm

They did not write me up, but the woman kept repeating over and over how upset she was that she missed the call, even after I apologized. I am tired of saying "I'm sorry" all the time at that place, they want perfection.

I help so many customers during my shift- isn't it inevitable that I will make at least one error a night? If they want perfection they really need to hire more staff so one person can concentrate on the phones and do it right, and one person can concentrate on the customers in person and do that right. You can't muli-task and do everything perfectly, although they sure expect it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-05-2006
Sun, 05-07-2006 - 11:55pm
Hi bluerains. Maybe you should look into what type of job would really make you happy and start applying elsewhere. I know you're concerned about references but by law no employer can say anything about you except your dates of employment. You can use character references from other sources and previous employers. I just checked a book out of the library titled, "Do What You Love and the Money Will Follow". I haven't finished it yet... so far it's pretty interesting.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2005
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 11:56am

I want to leave, I keep sending out my resumes but get no phone calls. So now I'm studying MS Office in the hopes of getting a better job....I'm trying to teach myself...I hope by June I will be more qualified and can get out of there.

It has been 2 years since I had a good job...

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-05-2006
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 12:16pm

"It has been 2 years since I had a good job..."

I feel ya'... The kind of stuff you're experiencing is what most of us experience - so I can definitely relate. Especially the fear of getting fired. This is why I want my own business.

Good luck with MS Office. I went to a temp agency and took free MS Office lessons. It was too many distractions trying to learn it home. After I trained at the temp agency I took a MS Office test and they pladed me on an assignment. I live in farm land now and the temp agencies out here don't have a lot of office work.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-12-2004
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 2:29pm

Hi Blue,


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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-2005
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 5:06pm

I totally agree that when you are multitasking and doing the job of possibly two people that you are bound to make a few errors.


I hope that your computer training does help you out. I know it's hard but keep looking for another job. Some day you will find the one that's the right fit for you.


Keep posting. I love to hear from you.

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Amanda